Saturday, July 4, 2009

Time-saving tips for new moms on-the-go

Between naps, feedings and diaper changes -- new moms rarely have a moment free. Pulling it all together doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Making some simple changes in your daily routine can mean extra time for enjoying your new baby.
“I always tell my friends that the key to spending more time with their new baby is to simplify their day,” says Victoria Pericon, editor of SavvyMommy.com and mother of three. “Try to combine errands into fewer trips and reduce the number of activities you're involved in. That way, you can spend more time with your loved ones and make more time for yourself.”
Pericon shares some of her favorite time-saving tips that are sure to help new moms protect the precious time they have with their new baby:
* Get organized: Caring for a new baby and keeping up with household and family activities is a challenge. The easiest way to stay on track with managing household chores and outside activities is to make a schedule. Buy a large wall calendar to organize your family’s play dates, practices, weekly errands and social events so everyone has a clear picture of what the week holds. Color code activities by family member.
* Go digital: Cutting and pasting your baby photos into an album is a thing of the past. Not only is this time-consuming but it's also costly. Why not create your baby book online instead of doing it all yourself? Photo sharing sites such as Shutterfly.com let you customize your baby book according to your own preferences. Also, you can share pictures of your new little one with friends and family in no time flat.
* Simplify feeding: Breast milk is the ideal nutrition as it provides all the nutrients a young infant needs, and it also helps build the baby's immunity. For moms who choose to feed with formula, it's important to choose one that provides both nutrition and convenience. Similac Advance EarlyShield has important immunity building-blocks similar to those found in breast milk. Great for saving mom time, Similac Advance EarlyShield comes in Similac SimplePac powder packages -- with design features that offer a simplified approach to feeding time -- and 8-fluid-ounce Similac Ready Right Now reclosable plastic bottles which require no mixing or measuring.
* Streamline sleepy time: Sleep is an all-too-precious commodity for new parents. Set a bedtime routine that lulls baby to sleep faster, so you can share a few precious minutes unwinding with your partner or a cup of tea. While good, old-fashioned rocking, reading books and singing lullabies makes bedtime rituals a bonding time, sleep-inducing crib toys, like the Fisher-Price Rainforest Waterfall Peek-a-Boo Soother, can trigger baby's time-for-sleep reflex by lulling baby with gentle moving water and soft music.
* Get healthy: Finding time to get back into shape can be tricky for any new mom.
One quick way is to check out your local gym -- many offer child care services for their members. Get out of the house for an hour or two and start getting back into shape while knowing that your child is in good hands and close by. You’ll get much needed “me” time and feel better.
Try these small, yet effective time-savers and have more time to spend with your new baby or with yourself. For more information, visit http://www.earlyshield.com/.